What was the First World War really like? Step into the boots of 14-year-old soldier James Marchbank and find out.
Inspired by the real-life diary of a Scottish boy soldier, each easy-to-read chapter mixes James's story with timelines, letters, diagrams and illustrations to create a fact-tastic account of the First World War, which is both fun and emotionally engaging for younger readers.
Why was rat hunting a popular hobby in the trenches?
How did parachuting pigeons help win the war?
Why would a really good friend rub whale oil on your feet?
What did it feel like to be a teenager at war?
Take a journey through time and discover all the most important and incredible bits of the First World War.
A Secret Diary of the First World War is the first in a new brilliant series, which blends together intriguing facts and fascinating fiction to bring the most exciting, gruesome and crucial moments of Scottish history alive for young readers.
This is Book 1 in the Young Kelpies Series. See all Young Kelpies books here.
Gill Arbuthnott is the author of several other novels for children, including Chaos Clock, Chaos Quest and Dark Spell (the sequel to Winterbringers). She lives in Edinburgh.
More about Gill ArbuthnottMark A. Smith was born in Dundee, where he works as a primary school teacher. He lives in Fife and spends most of his spare time reading comics and writing stories. He is highly competitive but has yet to find a sport he's actually good at. Slugboy Saves the World is his first novel. Darren Gate is the 2016 winner of the Kelpies Design and Illustration Priz
More about Darren Gate
